Wuff Da Kennel

We offer training of puppies, young dogs, adult dogs, older dogs, dogs with people issues, and people with dog issues. We also offer 1 hour dog lessons in 1-on-1 or group settings. Clinics are during the summer when the weather is permitting. Feel free to give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss training for your dog or schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Learn about our successful dog training.

Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old to be admitted for training.

Training Evaluation Package

Includes evaluation, initial training, and take-home training program customized for your dog.
Behavioral issues include, but are not limited to: aggressiveness, anxiety, etc.

In-Board Dog Training

While your dog stays with us, they will quickly learn basic commands, patience, and social skills through our positive communication methods, giving you the necessary tools to become a wise “Pack Leader”.

If you are interested in this service, please call or contact us to discuss pricing.

Add-On Services (For In-Board Training Graduates)

Your dog will participate in daily obedience training, refreshing skills previously learned at Wuff Da Kennel’s In-Board Training. This is a great add-on for dogs staying for more than a couple of days.

Clinics

Classes and Lessons

Videos & Graduation

Making a video during your dog’s training period will show you the exercises we have been working on with your dog and help you to follow up on the training program at home. The “Graduation” will show what your dog has achieved during his/her stay at Wuff Da Kennel. If you wish to have a video of your dog, please sign a video release form.

Personal & Individual Training

Each dog has its own unique personality and spirit, even within same breed. I do not believe in generalizing the training of animals. One training method may work great for some dogs, while you may have to think and go outside the box with other dogs. When we assemble a training program for you and your dog, we take into consideration the lifestyle you live with your dog so both of you can succeed.

Classes & Clinics

During the year, we may offer various dog classes and clinics. Please check back on our website for information about scheduling and events. We do not have an indoor training facility so we have to work with Mother Nature.

People Clinics

The People Clinic is designed to help you develop a deeper awareness of you own body language, movements, senses, and your environment. The course will challenge your leadership abilities and challenge you to be more submissive through social interaction with the other participants. Hand drums and sport equipment is part of the clinic.

Evaluation

To better evaluate which training methods and how to approach the training of your dog we recommend you bring your dog to Wuff Da Kennel for an evaluation. It is important to find out where your dog is at and what your goals are for you and your dog. Many dog owners ask me how long time it will take for their dog to learn something…well that all depends…doing an evaluation of your dog will help determine how long time your dog may need to be in training. However, it is not a full guarantee but can give you an idea.

What happens during an evaluation?

After greeting your dog and visiting with you and your dog, we will do a few exercises with your dog. We will be able to check out your dog’s reaction, behavior and the relationship between you and your dog. We will make specific notes of your dog’s behavior and performance and also of your goals.

Vaccination

Our vaccination policy is the same as our boarding vaccine requirements.

Our Philosophy & Training Methods

At Wuff Da Kennel, we use natural dogmanship, communicating with the dog through motivation, stimulation and all positive reinforcement. Be believe in communication through body language, timing, consistency, and feel. We believe you need to understand canine behavior in order to develop a trustworthy relationship to bond with your dog without abuse, punishment, and the use of bad equipment such as metal collars or electrical equipment. We start our own puppies off leash. Training your four-legged friend can be fun and effective. We never generalize our training, instead picking a method that suits the dog and its character, as well as its needs and level of training.

All Breeds and Ages

Although it’s always best to start your dog’s training at an early age, it’s never too late to train an older dog, whether it’s to take your dog to the next level or to correct some issues. To discuss the individual training of your adult dog, please feel free to give us a call at (218) 506-8514 or use our contact form.

How to Correct Behaviorial Issues

Once a dog has developed some issues, these need to be eliminated before you can start building the foundational training of your dog. Depending on your dog’s character and what kind of issues your dog has, the training may take a long time. Once your dog has received training, it is crucial that you receive training as well. Be prepared to make some changes. Consistency is the key to the success for you and your dog’s new and improved relationship.

Equipment

We do not use a dog collar, especially not metal choke collars, on young dogs until they can do a heel well. Using certain dog collars can cause damage to the dog’s throat and trachea if used on a dog that pulls excessively. We motivate the dog to come without having to pull on a leash. There are many other ways to teach the dog to heel without using equipment, and we train in an safe, enclosed area. If you need to have your dog on a leash we suggest using a harness. When I first started out learning to train dogs many years ago, I noticed the harmful effects of using a metal choke chain if used incorrectly. Today, I do not use a collar until the dog has received some training off leash.

Off Leash Training & Safety

Starting puppies off leash makes a free and happy puppy. You will notice all your “mistakes” a lot sooner than if you work on a leash, as the dog has no restrictions. Working off leash with your dog requires you have the appropriate environment to make sure your pet is safe. For the novice owner/handler, we suggest you train in an enclosed area first and it is highly recommended that you make the effort to gain some knowledge about dog behavior and positive training methods. You can even train your dog inside your house if you have a bit of space. Commands like come, sit, stay, wait, yes & no exercises, and many other little exercises can be practiced indoors.

Why off leash?

Starting your dog off leash will challenge you and your abilities to understand dogs. You will have to step it up and watch your dog, focusing on your dog every time you’re outside together. You will also have to learn to react promptly, and to change your attitude and body language according to your dog’s behavior at the time. It’ll keep you fit too, as sometimes you’ll have to run out to your dog, getting his/her attention back to you if your dog is distracted by something. Many people tend not to pay much attention to their dogs when on a leash and the dogs learn to pull excessively. It then becomes a habit and when you turn your dog loose, most dogs do not even respond to you when you call your dog. Working off leash, you have to make an effort and pay attention to what your dog is doing.

Communication is Training

“Training” is such a dominant word. I would prefer to use the word communication to signify understanding canine behavior, but to simplify things we’ll stick with the word training. We need to remember that any training with a dog is communication, and how you choose to communicate with your four legged friend will determine the outcome of your relationship. Training can be so much fun and very rewarding, letting you interact with your dog for many, many years to come! Establishing a relationship with your dog through a body language resembling the dog’s own body language will improve your canine communication skills and build your dog’s trust. This is where the fun begins.

Set your dog up for success

Don’t ask your dog to sit or perform anything during the learning process when there is a lot of nearby commotion. Treasure your work with your dog. Choose the right place and time to ask your dog to perform. If you are very consistent and your timing is right, you don’t need to spend a lot of time training. It can blend into your daily routine and handling of your dog. Being consistent isn’t acting mean or harsh, you just need to establish and stick to some rules, and do it in a doggy way through motivation, lots of praise, quick reprimands, and quick praising all in a calm and efficient manner. You want to set your dog up to succeed, not to constantly fail. One little step at a time. If the dog Is living with a family, you want everybody implementing the same commands. It doesn’t work well if one person has one way of handling the dog and the rest of the family is inconsistent. You are all part of the pack and you need teamwork.

Pack Mentality

Any group of dogs needs to be able to get along in order to stay together. Therefore, it is important for you to understand dog pack behavior. It’s always a matter of survival in the wild. Normally, a pack of dogs consists of a leader (alpha) and one or more other dogs of lesser rank (beta). To the dog, you are part of his/her pack.

It’s a good idea to learn to “speak” like a dog, as dogs communicate their status in the pack to other dogs thru body language, voice, and behavior. Some of their communications are very obvious while some are so subtle that they are only noticeable for the trained eye.

To have a healthy relationship with the dog, the owner needs to understand a dog’s pack behavior and how it relates to the home environment. The basis for this relationship is to learn how to be the alpha of your pack. What we call family is what your dog sees as his pack.

Misunderstanding & Lack of Knowledge

Dogs are a social pack animal and they have a structured leadership hiearchy. The dominanant alpha dog sets the rules for the other packmembers to follow. Dogs nature is to either be dominant or submissive. This behavior is instinctive. The main cause of behavioral problems within your pack is a breakdown of true leadership. Certain behaviors that may seem insignificant or irritating have much more meaning to your dog.

Wild dogs and other species of the canine family live in packs with one alpha female and one alpha male. Our domesticated dogs try to fit in with their human family as a pack, and many succeed very well, even if their human is not a leader. Sadly, some dogs do not fit in well. Too many dogs end up in the pound or are euthanized because they are considered to be “problem dogs”, when in fact, they’re just dogs whose human family failed to understand their canine behavior. If you experience problems with your dog and you are not sure how to address the issues, it is very wise to seek professional help. We at Wuff Da Kennel will be very happy to help you and your dog.

Working Dogs

If you have a working dog, it is important that you shape your pup early through motivation to bring out the talents your dog is bred to do. It is very important to know what you want your dog to do and not to do, apart from being a great companion. It is important that your dog will listen to your commands or it can be very hard to develop a good working relationship with your dog. Commands like come, sit, stay, heel, yes and no, and go are are some of the basics your dog will need to learn at an early age. Many working dogs with a good pedigree are born with natural instincts to perform a job. They have a drive and if the young dog lives in an environment where they do not get to use their abilities, or get the correct stimulation and exercise, they can actually develop some very bad habits and for no fault of their own, become a real nuisance to their two-legged family. This can be a very frustrating situation and also emotionally upsetting, and you will have an unhappy dog.

With the right knowledge and some professional help, bad habits and an unhappy dog can be avoided. We will be able to start your puppy and get it going in the right direction so you and your dog can enjoy working together. Please visit with us to discuss the kind of training your puppy will need.

Dogs & Children

Most families want their children to grow up with a dog and establish a good relationship with the dog. Too many families end up putting their dog down due to issues between the kids and the dog. You have to train your dog, but also have to train your kids how to behave around dogs too. Some families think the dog is like a toy and expect the dog to handle any behavior from children, but that is not the case. The dog is not a toy, and you have a responsibility of taking care of your four-legged friend. You must teach your children that the dog needs time to itself, to leave it alone to sleep and eat if the dog shows signs thereof, and not harrassing the dog like pulling on its tail. It’s a balance between raising the dog and the children so each will have respect for each other and will be able to enjoy being together for many years to come. Also consider what kind of lifestyle you lead and try to get a dog that is suitable for your family.

We look forward to visiting with you and your dog.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call or contact us for more information.